 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, Llandudno - 4 bubbles
The Spies had been wanting to get to Bodysgallen Hall as we'd heard rumours that they offered "Botox icecubes". We had to find out more! Even more delights were in store for us at this friendly country-house hotel: home-made biscuits, a warming log fire and dramatic results from Bodysgallen's new Anne Semonin facial.
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
We drove up the steep road past fields of grazing sheep and clumps of early daffodils to reach Bodysgallen. It is a grey-stone manor house, perched on a Welsh hillside almost on the north Wales coast. In fact, when you leave, the signpost pointing right says: "To Llandudno and the sea", and the one pointing left says "Everywhere else"!
The hotel is small and exclusive with just 18 bedrooms and a few cottages hidden in the grounds. The place has lots of comfy chairs, chintzy sofas, log fires, a library - the sort of country house you always dream of owning, really (!) The spa is in the grounds in a rebuilt stone and slate farm building.
How did they welcome you?
Just arriving at the hotel was relaxing. A log fire and the offer of afternoon tea was perfect after a long drive on a cold March day. But first they took us to our room, and this had lovely views across the Conway valley to Snowdon.
What happens next?
We went down to the spa, following the path through the trees. It feels like a small country house rather than a spa: the main reception area has two sofas beside a log fire (not a ubiquitous spa feature), and there are several tables where you can have light lunches and drinks. There is a good size (50-foot) pool, which has white plastic reclining chairs down one side, a sauna, a steam room and a Jacuzzi. Roof lights keep this area bright. The gym is small but well equipped.
Which treatments did you have?
I was booked in for sneak preview of the new Anne Semonin range which uses a combination of trace elements and essential oils. It's a French brand that has been around a number of years but is hard to find in the UK. It is particularly good at firming and lifting the skin. I had the Anne Sémonin 100% Active De-Crease Facial (55 minutes, £68)
What were the treatments like?
My therapist looked at my skin, we had a quick chat and she decided I needed the full strength treatment: the intensive complex oil and the express radiance cubes. Ah -- this is what we have heard about on the grapevine; it's not actually Botox, but something they call "neurocosmetics" which, I am told, has a similar effect to Botox.
Hmm, this was a bit worrying, but, of course, we have our readers to consider. So, in the name of duty, I climbed on the (rather wobbly) treatment bed and offered up my skin to the complexities of cosmetic science.
The treatment began with a nice touch and hold on my feet, then worked its way up my body -- a good way to relax. There followed a cleanse and massage, then my therapist patted firming complex onto my skin. I had a very good neck and shoulder massage. She then unfolded a piece of gauze over my face and spread a thick mixture over it. While all that was working, I got a very lovely foot massage. The therapist went off to get those ice cubes, and when she came back, removed the gauze. The ice was chilly of course. She rapidly ran it across my skin, starting with my neck and working up wards. All this took an hour. I couldn't wait to see the miraculous transformation!
How did you feel afterwards?
Well, it wasn't quite miraculous, but my face was noticeably different. My jawline has become rather jowly of late and this area was definitely tighter. My eye area tends to look dark and a bit crinkly, even when I have been early to bed, and this looked brighter and smoother, too. My skin felt pretty tight, as well, a feeling that lasted for several hours. Anne Semonin claim the firming lasts five hours so this is a treatment best enjoyed close to a grand occasion.
What happens afterwards?
My therapist took me off to the relaxation room, where there is subdued lighting and four reclining chairs, and offered a drink and a magazine.
Long-term effects
My skin was dramatically different for several hours. If I were collecting an Oscar or hosting a party, I might just be tempted. But the next day the results were much like any other facial: my skin was brighter and smoother. You can buy the mixture, keep it in the freezer, and give yourself the lift at home.
Was it worth it?
That is a very difficult question. It is expensive and time-consuming. However, the treatment does make a noticeable difference, so if that is important to you, then it would be worth it.
What else could you have?
Bodysgallen also offer ESPA treatments, San Tropez and Caci products.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
That the spa is a walk through the woods. I was glad I had taken my trainers, but you would have to be quite hardy to want to go and swim very early or after dark.
Any special features?
The spa is more like your own private space than a spa; you are greeted and escorted as if you are the only person there.
Who do you think would like it?
The hotel and the setting are very romantic, so Bodysgallen is great for couples. It's not really enough of a spa destination to go on your own, but there were several pairs of friends staying at the hotel and enjoying spa days.
Bodysgallen also feels exclusive; the morning we were there, David Cameron helicoptered in for breakfast. (Not sure the chief Spa Spy would ever let us have a helicopter even if we painted it in Good Spa Guide colours...)
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave the spa at Bodysgallen 4 bubbles. Bodysgallen is a lovely hotel with a good spa attached. The hotel has a friendly country-house feel, with home-made biscuits in the rooms, really attentive service and a willingness to do whatever is needed to make their guests comfortable. The food is very good and it all feels very select. You can sit by the log fire in the main house, doing the crossword and listening to the wet Welsh rain beating against the windows and feel very glad to have found this hotel. But the spa itself is not quite luxurious enough to make 5 bubbles. The pool, steam and Jacuzzi area is in need of a lick of paint and some renovation. The chairs by the pool are white plastic with green and white cushions -- rather downmarket for what is really a luxurious destination. Wooden steamer chairs would be more in keeping, although space around the pool is limited. The changing area is well equipped with stools, hairdryers and a good size mirror, but there is only one bottle of moisturiser fixed to the wall and I had to lean over someone to reach it.
Read more on how we rate our spas.
Would you go again?
Yes. I would hope for better weather so that we could get out and walk in the delightful gardens and those lovely hills. But if it did rain, I would just curl up in front of the fire with my book and plan my next spa treatment.
We visited Bodysgallen Hall in February 2008
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
Follow this link to book a great hotel offer at Bodysgallen with our partners lastminute.com
See also:
* Contact Details for Bodysgallen Hall & Spa
* Our Spa Spies review Anne Sémonin products
* Will I feel out of it if I go to a spa alone?
|
|
|